Scripture Verse

They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4

Introduction

portrait
William Cowper (1731–1800)

Words: Will­iam Cow­per, in Con­yer’s Col­lect­ion of Psalms and Hymns, 1772. About these lines, Cowper wrote to his aunt: I be­gan to com­pose them yes­ter­day morn­ing be­fore day­break, but I fell asleep at the end of the first two lines. When I awaked again, the third and fourth vers­es were whis­pered to my heart in a way I have oft­en ex­pe­ri­enced.

Music: Caith­ness Scot­tish Psal­ter, 1635 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

Lyrics

O for a clos­er walk with God,
A calm and hea­ven­ly frame,
A light to shine up­on the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the bless­ed­ness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul re­fresh­ing view
Of Je­sus, and His Word?

What peace­ful hours I once en­joyed!
How sweet their me­mo­ry still!
But they have left an ach­ing void
The world can ne­ver fill.

Return, O ho­ly Dove, re­turn,
Sweet mes­sen­ger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dear­est idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And wor­ship on­ly Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and se­rene my frame;
So pur­er light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.